Written Answers Nos. 1146-1166
1146. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the maximum waiting time for a young person to receive an intervention, as distinct from a screening session for therapies (details supplied) as of 1 July 2023, by years and months, by CHO, in tabular form. [63974/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1147. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of approved posts in primary care services for 0-18 year olds for disciplines (details supplied); whether each of those posts were vacant or filled at the time; whether they were permanent or temporary contract posts; and if filled, whether any staff in these positions were on extended leave such as maternity leave, long-term sick leave and so on, as of 1 July 2023, by CHO, in tabular form. [63975/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
1148. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the number of approved posts in disciplines (details supplied) in primary care services for 0-18 year olds; whether each of those posts were vacant or filled at the time; whether they were permanent or temporary contract posts; and if filled, whether any staff in these positions were on extended leave such as maternity leave, long term sick leave and so on, as of 1 November 2025, by health region, in tabular form. [63976/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
1149. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to provide a service in Letterkenny University Hospital for patients who require intravitreal injections (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63995/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
1150. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63997/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy as soon as possible.
1151. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to commit to a full national inquiry into paediatric disability services, including orthopaedics, neurology, therapy services, equipment provision, overseas referrals and community services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64008/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1153. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has considered the impact of patients attending private hospitals being excluded from national statistics; the steps planned to ensure complete data for service planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64020/25]
View answer1154. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to capture patient information from private hospitals to address gaps in national statistics, particularly for neurological conditions, to provide a complete picture of healthcare needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64021/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1153 and 1154 together.
My Department submits national healthcare statistics annually to Eurostat in fulfilment of the European Regulation (EU) 2022/2294, as regards statistics on healthcare facilities, healthcare human resources and healthcare utilisation. These statistics are onward shared with OECD and WHO and are available on the databases of these international organisations. My Department also publishes this data directly and the 2025 National Healthcare Statistics and metadata are available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/collections/national-healthcare-statistics-2025/.
From reference year 2020 onwards, Ireland’s statistics under this Regulation included private sector activity, whenever available. This has been possible through my Department’s engagement with private hospitals in Ireland since 2019. Furthermore, through this same engagement, my Department is still working with the private hospitals to further its reporting through both anonymised and aggregated data in order to fulfil its European statistical regulatory requirements.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation will provide a common governance framework and harmonised infrastructure for both the primary and secondary use of electronic health data in and between EU Member States.
The Health Information Bill, which completed Dáil Committee Stage in July, and will proceed to Dáil Report Stage shortly, is part of a suite of planned legislative measures to give full effect to the EHDS Regulation. It will provide a legislative basis for the introduction of electronic health records for all patients in Ireland as well as introducing a statutory duty to share personal health data across healthcare settings (public, private and voluntary) for the purposes of care and treatment. It also empowers the HSE to request, from health services providers (including private providers with whom it has entered into an arrangement to provide health services), health information for specified public interest purposes, including public health and policymaking.
1155. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the means by which the development of electronic patient records will ensure that diagnoses and treatments from private hospitals are included, so patients' medical histories are complete, and continuity of care is not compromised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64022/25]
View answerThe development of electronic health records (EHRs) is a cornerstone of Ireland’s Digital for Care strategy and essential to delivering integrated, safer, and community-centred care under Sláintecare. A core objective is that patient information follows the person, regardless of where care is delivered.
To ensure that diagnoses and treatments from private hospitals are incorporated into each person's digital health record, we are deploying the National Shared Care Record technology platform nationwide on a phased basis from 2026 to 2027. This will be supported by internationally recognised interoperability standards to enable seamless data exchange and by alignment with European Health Data Space requirements to guarantee secure, standardised sharing across all care settings.
This work will be underpinned by the forthcoming Health Information Bill, which provides the legal basis for sharing specified categories of health information. This is further strengthened by substantial investment already made in advanced site-specific and regional EHR systems, which lay the foundation for integrated digital care.
1156. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of electronic health records in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64023/25]
View answerDigital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024-2030 sets out a roadmap to digitally transform health services and describes a very clear path for the full digitisation of healthcare records and information systems in Ireland, as committed to under the Programme for Government.
Implementation of Ireland’s Digital for Care strategy is progressing at pace following its publication in May 2024. It sets out vision to enable better health outcomes through seamless, safe, secure, and connected digital health services that support both patients and providers. This vision is grounded in the principles of Sláintecare.
Ireland is pursuing a three-step approach to the delivery of electronic health records in Ireland, comprising a National Patient App, the National Shared Care Record and an enterprise level Electronic Health Record that will be centrally procured and configured, but regionally deployed and owned by each of the six health regions.
The HSE Health app was launched in February 2025 and has been downloaded 186,000 times with 113,000 registered users accessing their personal health information, the user base is increasing by an average of 500 people per day (information as of November 2025). There are now 36 hospitals using the app for appointments (including all maternity hospitals) with a plan for the additional hospitals, statutory and voluntary, to be brought onto the app in 2026.
The app has also been recognised with three national awards in 2025, underscoring its role in empowering patients and improving access. The app has been co-designed with a wide range of people who use our services, staff, and advocacy organisations, who have been active partners throughout the process. Future app features will be guided by ongoing research and engagement with patients, staff, advocacy organisations, and the public.
The technology platform for the National Shared Care Record (NSCR) was procured earlier this year. The NSCR brings together healthcare information from various sources such as hospitals, GP practices, and Community care into a single place, making them available at the point of care and self-care in read only format. By having access to key healthcare information in one place means healthcare professionals will be able to make more informed, safer decisions and to focus more time on direct patient care while patients will be better informed and empowered to manage their own healthcare.
A phased rollout of the national shared care record is due to commence in Q4 2025 in the South-East region with University Hospital Waterford and surrounding community areas. The system will then extend to other regions from in 2026 and 2027.
A preliminary business case (PBC) for the National EHR has been developed by the HSE, setting out the case for the most ambitious transformation programme in the history of the health service. In accordance with DPER’s infrastructure guidelines the EHR PBC went through an independent, external assurance process (EAP) review in July and was considered COMPLIANT in all areas. The PBC was also subjected to review by the Major Project Advisory Group (MPAG), and a Memo for Government is being finalised and will go to Government shortly to secure consent for the next stage – preparation for procurement.
A PIN (Prior Information Notice) was published in June 2025 informing EHR suppliers about the health service's interest in a national enterprise-level EHR system. This process is open to all potential vendors willing to engage through this process. The consultation seeks supplier input to inform the upcoming procurement, with a contract award expected by the end of 2026 and phased implementation following that.
1157. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if there has been any reduction in the funding being provided to drugs taskforces in Budget 2026; if so, the rationale behind the reduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64024/25]
View answerThe Department of Health provides in the region of €4.6m in funding annually to approximately 61 projects under the remit of drug task forces under the Drugs Initiative budget. This level of funding was provided in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Additional core funding of €320,000 was allocated in 2024 in the context of the October 2023 Workplace Relations Commission pay agreement. This funding will also be provided in 2026.
The HSE provides a further €22m for the provision of community-based drug services in task force areas.
I recently announced an additional €1.89 million in recurring funding to further enhance community-based drug services though the Community Services Enhancement Fund. The additional funding will support drug services (including task forces) to meet increased treatment demand, with a focus on improving access to services in underserved communities, promoting evidence-based innovations in service design and delivery, and meeting the needs of people who use stimulant drugs. [Minister Murnane O’Connor announces €1.89 million funding for community-based drugs services]
Budget 2026
Recently, Minister Murnane O’Connor announced an additional €11 million in recurring funding for drugs and inclusion health services in Budget 2026. Highlights include €0.75m to improve access to Buprenorphine in OAT services, €0.2m to enhance strategic workforce planning for drug services, €0.33m to increase treatment capacity for under-served populations and €0.1m for other drug initiatives.
Further information on the budget announcement is available at [Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces funding for drugs and Inclusion Health for 2026]
The additional funding I have secured for 2026 will address disparities in the availability of and access to drugs and inclusion health services across the six HSE health regions. The new measures will drive health equity for groups at risk of poverty and social exclusion and enhance the health and wellbeing of all people.
We are paving the way for the implementation of our new national drugs strategy, expanding capacity in services all across the country and rolling out successful pilot initiatives to new areas.
1158. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if she will consider amending legislation governing SUSI to allow students who have previously completed Springboard courses to have these courses discounted in terms of progression when applying for SUSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63137/25]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, progression, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
Generally speaking, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.
Student Grant Schemes are reviewed on an annual basis. Any expansion to a scheme would require consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The Deputy will appreciate that the funding allocation for student supports is determined in the context of the overall estimates and budgetary process undertaken by all Government Departments having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands.
1159. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rights a returning emigrant with two children who worked in Ireland for 12 to 13 years before emigrating to the USA has in relation to their teenage child's university education and the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63814/25]
View answerHigher education institutions in Ireland are autonomous bodies and , as such, it is a matter for each institution to determine the level of fee applicable to particular programmes, or to particular elements of academic programmes.
In order to qualify for funding towards tuition fees, students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss State for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
Where students do not qualify for free fees funding, they must pay the appropriate fee - either EU or Non-EU rate, as determined by each higher education institution.
1160. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of construction workers required annually to meet the housing delivery targets in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the current size of the construction workforce; and the projected shortfall. [63920/25]
View answer1161. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the apprenticeship intake and completion figures for construction-related trades in 2023 and 2024; the expected intake for 2025; and how these figures align with the workforce required to meet annual housing targets. [63921/25]
View answer1162. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated construction workforce required in Cork city and Cork county to meet regional housing targets under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the current workforce level; and the actions planned to bridge any shortfall. [63929/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1160, 1161 and 1162 together.
Firstly, in terms of the workforce required to meet annual housing targets.
My Department published An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting in October 2024. Recognising the report relied on workforce data from 2022, and considering the increased investment in the apprenticeship system in particular in the past couple of years, a new report has been commissioned. This new report will analyse workforce supply and demand across the construction sector and is due to be published shortly.
Please note that the new report will consider the construction workforce on a national level rather than on a local or regional basis.
In terms of the apprenticeship system, workers are needed across different skills levels and the apprenticeship model is an invaluable part of the overall tertiary response to these requirements.
My Department has secured an additional €79 million investment in apprenticeships through Budget 2026, the highest investment in core apprenticeship funding since the Department’s formation. Since 2020, we have more than doubled the investment in apprenticeships – increasing funding by 122% - bringing the total annual current budget to over €410 million.
Recognising the importance of incentivising employers, we introduced an employer grant of €2,000 per year for consortia-led apprenticeships. We also introduced a gender-based bursary of €2,666 which is available to employers who hire apprentices in programmes where there is greater than 80% representation of a single gender.
The sustained focus on this area in recent years has already seen positive results.
The number of construction and related apprentice registrations in 2023 and 2024 were 5,794 and 6,319 respectively, representing an increase of 9% across this period. The construction and related apprentice population was 20,219 at the end of 2023, and 21,895 at the end of 2024, an increase of 8%.
These figures reflect a strong and consistent increase in the numbers joining the construction-related apprenticeship system over the past number of years, as well as a rise in the construction-related apprentice population.
To illustrate further, the total number of apprentices in construction and related fields grew by 50% between 2020 and 2024, from 14,567 to 21,895, while construction and related registrations across the same fields rose by 66%, from 3,813 in 2020 to 6,319 in 2024.
|
- |
|
|
|
Apprentice Population (construction and construction related) |
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
14,567 |
18,182 |
19,550 |
20,219 |
21,895 |
|
- |
|
|
|
Apprentice Registrations (construction and construction related) |
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
3,813 |
6,101 |
5,628 |
5,794 |
6,319 |
In addition, registrations in craft apprenticeships rose by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 to 7,113 in 2024.
The figures to date in 2025 for both construction-related apprenticeship population and registrations are broadly on track to maintain this growth trend.
3,196 certificates were issued to Construction and related apprentices in 2024.
With 31 construction-related apprenticeship programmes now in place, and more in the pipeline, we’re offering clear, skilled pathways to joining this vital sector.
Next year will see the launch of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026-2030. A key commitment in the Programme for Government, it will have a headline target of 12,500 new apprentice registrations per year by 2030, and two-thirds of these will be in craft and construction-related programmes. The Department will be launching a public consultation shortly to seek the views of all stakeholders on how the apprentice system can be improved, made more inclusive, and better aligned with national skills needs.
To further support this momentum, a concerted effort is being made to attract more people into the trades and other construction roles through cross-partner campaigns.
Research undertaken by my Department found a lack of knowledge and understanding about the industry and the roles available, a poor perception of the working environment as well as a perception that construction is not suitable for women. In response, the Department is implementing the Careers in Construction Action Plan, which comprises 20 actions that relate to structural, promotional, and training activities to minimise barriers, promote career opportunities, and make construction jobs more attractive to women.
Several key industry and education partners are collaborating with my Department on updating the action plan, with the new plan set to be published in the coming weeks.
Among the actions are several campaign initiatives supported by the 2024 and 2025 Housing for All Implementation Fund. These include the Building Heroes peer-to-peer social media campaign and a documentary on careers in construction for second-level schools, both of which include young role models from the trades, as well as the Build Back Home campaign aimed at Irish construction workers abroad. The National Apprenticeship Office also runs the Facts, Faces, Futures campaign which highlights the growing participation and leadership of women in apprenticeship.
I am particularly pleased to report that the Building Heroes campaign is going from strength to strength. The first phase of the 2025 campaign, with almost 100 pieces of content across social media, has exceeded targets for engagement with a 23% increase in followers across all platforms. There have been almost 8,000 engagements, an increase of 140% per post compared with 2024. Phase two of this year’s campaign kicked off at WorldSkills in October.
My Department also works with the Department of Social Protection on the Future Building Initiative. Through the initiative Intreo, SOLAS and Education and Training Boards of Ireland have formed a dedicated cross-functional team to support recruitment and training across the construction sector. The team collaborate closely to drive progress in recruitment for training courses, apprenticeships and jobs.
Together, these activities reflect a broad range of approaches and initiatives aimed at encouraging more uptake in construction apprenticeships, supporting the vital work undertaken by employers.
I remain committed to ensuring that the apprenticeship system is robust, responsive, and ready to meet the evolving skills needs of Ireland’s economy.
1163. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process by which apprentices are given a place for their off-the-job training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62723/25]
View answerSOLAS endeavours to schedule apprentices for their off-the-job training at the earliest possible opportunity and at the training location closest to their home. Where a placement is not available nearby, apprentices will be assigned to the next nearest available location.
It is important to note that not all apprenticeship programmes are available in every Education and Training Board (ETB) or Technical University (TU). Apprentices are advised during induction that they may need to travel to other counties for training. Each apprentice is assigned a Training Advisor within their employer’s region, who provides ongoing support throughout the programme.
The relevant ETB issues written notification to apprentices and their employers between six and thirteen weeks prior to the commencement of the training phase. This scheduling is based on information provided by SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO).
Both the apprentice and employer must confirm attendance within seven working days of the notification date. If an offer is declined, the place is reallocated to the next apprentice on the national waiting list. This process ensures full class intakes, efficient use of training capacity and fairness to all apprentices. A craft apprentice may decline a scheduled placement up to three times and return to the National Waiting List for future scheduling. An apprentice can arrange this by contacting their designated Training Advisor.
Support is available to craft apprentices required to travel outside their home region. They may qualify for an accommodation allowance. Travel and meal allowances are also available. However, only one type of allowance is payable per training phase.
1164. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason in technological universities (TUs) there are no grades for professors; if there are plans to introduce a new grade; if so, when given it will help with inequalities between TUs and universities in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62728/25]
View answerMy Department and I are committed to the continued development of the five Technological Universities (TUs), in line with commitments under the Programme for Government, including the development of new management and academic staff structures. Technological Universities do not have professorial grades within the existing staffing structures relating to the teaching structures and mandate of the former Institute of Technology sector. Accordingly my Department and I are committed to the development of professorship grades in our TUs, and facilitating the development of the new TU Academic Career Structure in line with the recommendations of the 2022 OECD Report.
Officials from my Department have been working to establish professorial grades since the last TU was established in 2022. Under the TU Act the approval of the Minister of DPENDPR is required and my Department is currently awaiting a response from DPENDPR in this regard.
I hope to have further information to update the Deputy with shortly.
1165. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he will publish the Statement of Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62782/25]
View answerThe Statement of Strategy 2025–2028 has been approved and will be published forthwith. It was developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders and the public.
The Strategy will see my Department pursue a comprehensive range to actions to achieve four key priorities which are:
• To foster research and innovation as an economic enabler
• To provide high quality accessible tertiary education
• To expand pathways to skills, reskilling, and apprenticeships that match Ireland’s evolving workforce needs.
• To promote the pursuit of knowledge as a public good.
1166. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a TU postgraduate gets €10,000 less than other postgraduates; if there is funding for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62806/25]
View answerOn 1 October 2024, additional funding was announced for Research Ireland in order to increase its PhD stipend level to €25,000, i.e. an increase of over 31% in two years. This announcement builds on the increases secured under preceding Budgets, demonstrating my Department’s consistent focus and progress on this issue. It has come into effect from 1 January 2025.
In doing so, my Department has now implemented the recommendation of the independent review of State Supports for PhD researchers for an optimum stipend level of €25,000, subject to funding availability. This level applies to all PhD students in receipt of funding from Research Ireland, irrespective of the Higher Education Institution they attend.
Of the approximately 10,000 PhD student enrolments annually in Ireland, in the region of 3,000 receive stipend awards from Research Ireland and approximately 1,000 do so from other public funders. Roughly 2,000 receive some level of institutional scholarship support from their host higher education institution, with the assistance of core funding from the Higher Education Authority. The remaining approximately 4,000 PhD students are privately funded, either by the individual or the employer.
Institutional scholarship supports received by PhD students from their higher education institution are funded primarily by the core funding provided to the sector, which has been progressively increased by the Government over recent years as part of the Funding the Future policy. The use of core funding is at the discretion of each higher education institution whose autonomy in this respect is established in legislation.
For those PhD students in receipt of stipends from national competitive funding agencies outside the remit of my Department, the level of stipend awarded and its Terms and Conditions is at the discretion of each funder and its parent Department.
